Nature Moncton Nature News: 2016-10-02

Saturday 8 October 2016

Oct 8 2016

**Gordon Rattray did a round of the Sackville Waterfowl Park on Thursday to get a photo of the AMERICAN COOT [Foulque d'Amérique] that has spent the season there, an adult GREAT BLUE HERON [Grand Héron] showing remnants of its plumes, and a great photo of a PECTORAL SANDPIPER [Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée] to nicely show the prominent breast streaking that contrasts so sharply with the white belly and also its yellow legs.

**In follow-up to recent comments about RUDDY TURNSTONES [Tournepierre à collier] taking morsels of bait offered by fishermen, Ralph Eldridge comments on a scenario he has seen at Machias Seal Island with Ruddy Turnstones. They had some Ruddy Turnstones spend all or much of a couple of summers there, and they were able to take the eggs of COMMON TERNS [Sterne pierregarin]. Several species of birds will consume eggs of other birds, with BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] high on the list. Looks like Ruddy Turnstones can be similarly opportunistic; assuming their chisel-like bill makes them quite able to do so.

**Pianist Mark Lloyd made a music video recently using some recent photos Anna Tucker took at the Sackville Waterfowl Park. That music video can be seen at https://youtu.be/h5dl4OiorYE Anna has visited the Sackville Waterfowl Park and Amherst Point area recently and shares some photos of the action there and the fall colour show in progress. A photo of AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] shows them very much enjoying the bountiful crop of fall wild plants going to seed at the moment.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

CLOUDED SULPHUR BUTTERFLY.OCT 6, 2016.ANNA TUCKER

FALL COLOURS.OCT 6, 2016.ANNA TUCKER.

GREAT BLUE HERON.OCTOBER 6, 2016.GORDON RATTRAY

AMERICAN COOT.OCTOBER 6, 2016.GORDON RATTRAY

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.OCT 5, 2016.ANNA TUCKER

PECTORAL SANDPIPER.OCTOBER 6, 2016.GORDON RATTRAY

AMERICAN WIGEON.OCT 6, 2016.ANNA TUCKER

Friday 7 October 2016

Oct 7 2016

** Rhi Edwards made a birding run of the Tantramar Marsh, Cape Tormentine and Cape Jourimain on Thursday. Each cape location gave nice views of waterfowl and songbirds, but a juvenile RED-TAILED HAWK [Buse à queue rousse] gave a great show on the Tantramar Marsh to provide a nice portrait and then entertained with a bit of calisthenics. Rhi recorded the show with 3 photos.

** Marguerite Winsor had a large female ICHNEUMON WASP visit her Salisbury yard on Wednesday. Note the very long ovipositor of this specimen. We have several species of Ichneumon wasps in New Brunswick. Some are surprisingly large, but none are a threat to humans.

** Ray Gauvin submits a photo of one of two RUDDY TURNSTONES [Tournepierre à collier] that have become very friendly with one of a fisherman at the Pointe-du-Chêne wharf. The fisherman has dubbed them “Bert and Ernie”. This is an interesting scenario with Ruddy Turnstones as I have seen the same thing at the two Neguac wharves. One day 7 Ruddy Turnstones were moving among the fishermen there, taking tidbits of bait the fishermen were using to fish Striped Bass. I thought the Ruddy Turnstone was an insect and invertebrate eater, but obviously that can be expanded when appropriate.

** This week's Sky-at-a-Glance is added to today's transcription, courtesy of Curt Nason.

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 8 – October 15

This is a good time of year to double your sky observing time. For the
next few weeks, before we revert to Standard Time, the sky is dark and
the stars are blazing when most people are up to start their day. And it
is not bitterly cold or snowbound. Orion and his dogs are prominent to
the south, with Taurus, Auriga and Gemini arching over them.

In early evening you can see the 4th, 5th and 6th brightest stars. Look
for yellow Arcturus sinking to the west, blue-white Vega overhead and
Capella in Auriga rising in the northeast. Later, notice the positions
of the circumpolar Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. The next
morning go outside and see how they have changed. Sometimes it is nice
to have a little assurance that the world keeps right on turning.

This Week in the Solar System

Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:27 am and sunset will occur at
6:45 pm, giving 11 hours, 18 minutes of daylight (7:32 am and 6:51 pm in
Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:37 am and set at 6:32
pm, giving 10 hours, 55 minutes of daylight (7:41 am and 6:38 pm in
Saint John).

The Moon is at first quarter after midnight on Saturday night, October 8
and, not coincidentally, Saturday is International Observe the Moon
Night. Mercury is still well placed for morning viewing but heading
sunward. On Tuesday it and Jupiter rise together one degree apart an
hour before the Sun. Venus remains low in the west in twilight, setting
around 8 pm. In a few weeks it will pass between Saturn and Antares,
just as Mars did not so long ago. Over the week Mars moves from the lid
of the Sagittarius Teapot asterism to just above the handle. The
International Space Station (ISS) will be making a pass or two every
evening this week, with the best being around 8 pm on Thursday. Check
the Heavens-Above Web site for times and locations in your area, which
you can set from Configuration on the home page.

There will be public observing at the Irving Nature Park in Saint John
on Friday, October 7, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. The Fredericton astronomy
club meets on Tuesday at 7 pm in the UNB Forestry/Earth Sciences
Building, and the provincial astronomy club (RASC NB) meets at the
Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre in Saint John on October 15 at 1 pm.

Questions? Contact me at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

Autumn Morning

RED-TAILED HAWK.OCT 6, 2016.RHI EDWARDS,

RUDDY TURNSTONE.OCT 6, 2016.RAY GAVIN

Thursday 6 October 2016

Oct 6 2016

** Gordon Rattray visited the area of a carrot farm field on the Perry Rd on Wednesday in the Ste-Anne-de-Kent area to see the immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE [Oie rieuse] there located earlier by Rose-Alma Mallet and Stewart Tingley. The fields are 2 kms down the Perry Rd. Gordon comments there were approximately 2,000 Geese present and may be a bit of a challenge to isolate the goose. Gordon also saw approximately 100 HORNED LARKS [Alouette hausse-col] in the area as well to get a few nice photos.

** Brian Stone was in the Shepody/ Fundy National Park area on Wednesday to spot a distant SPOTTED SANDPIPER [Chevalier grivelé] in basic plumage to get a documentary photo. The majority of Spotted Sandpipers seem to have migrated by now but this one seemed quite content to be still at Point Wolfe. Brian also comments on TURKEY VULTURES [Urubu à tote rouge] seeing 3 at the Lars Larsen Marsh area and 10 in the area near Riverside Albert.

** Aldo Dorio got 2 photos of a sparrow on Tuesday that needs close looks to identify it, as a SAVANNAH SPARROW [Bruant des prés] and not a Song Sparrow. Dave MacLeod points out from the photo of the back of the bird shows 2 sets of prominent light feather tracks on the back or mantle that resemble a pair of braces. This feature is typical for the Savannah Sparrow but lacking in the Song Sparrow, or at least does not stand out as prominently. A nice little identification tool. Also the chest striping seems a bit fine compared to a Song Sparrow and the breast spot not as obvious. It’s not unusual for bird photos to be challenging even for common expected species.

** We are all enjoying a very beautiful fall day in NB today, but Jill Greening who follows the Nature Moncton blog spot from Edam, Saskatchewan, reminds us what will no doubt be happening in NB, hopefully later, as her daughter bundled up to enjoy the freshly fallen snow there !

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (center).OCTOBER 5, 2016. GORDON RATTRAY

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (front bird).OCTOBER 5, 2016. GORDON RATTRAY

HORNED LARK.OCTOBER 5, 2016. GORDON RATTRAY

SAVANNAH SPARROW..OCT 4 2016.ALDO DORIO

SNOW.OCT 5,2016.JILL GREENING

SPOTTED SANDPIPER 02. OCT. 05, 2016. BRIAN STONE

SAVANNAH SPARROW (BACK VIEW). OCT 4 2016,.ALDO DORIO.

Wednesday 5 October 2016

Oct 5 2016

**Kerry Lee Morris-Cormier reports there was a flock of 12 DUNLINS in front on the Nature Conservancy of Canada Interruptive Centre at Johnson's Mills on Tuesday. Also observed were 3 SANDERLINGS, several hundred SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and a few SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. Note the drooped bill on the dunlin.

**Like many of us in the area, Brian Stone had the opportunity to say good morning to Jack Frost for the second morning on Tuesday to record his visit in photos when the early morning dew went one step farther.

Brian's BUMBLEBEE colony, that has nested under his deck at home, will hopefully send off any potential queens soon and maybe choose a different site next season.

**The BLACK BELLIED PLOVERS are still enjoying the coastline at Hay Island. Aldo Dorio photographed some doing their distinct ‘plover walk’ on Monday.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS.OCT 4 2016.ALDO DORIO

DUNLIN.OCT 4, 2016.KERRY LEE MORRIS-CORMIER.

FROST 01. OCT. 04, 2016. BRIAN STONE

Tuesday 4 October 2016

Oct 4 2016

** A Nature Moncton Guided Field trip to visit the inter-sanctions of the Magnetic Hill Zoo with General Manager Bruce Dougan is scheduled for Saturday October 15. The write up is attached below. A special date to mark on calendars. I am putting this up front as we are late in getting final write up distributed.

Nature Moncton visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Meet at 10:00 AM

The philosophy of zoos has changed considerably over the years. Now very few animals in zoos are taken from the wild, but instead they are bred in captivity, and many species endangered in the wild and bred this way are released back into their natural habitat to bolster numbers.

On Saturday, October 15, Nature Moncton members will be given a special opportunity to see the animals at the zoo and some behind-the-scenes activities in active progress. This trip will be led by Bruce Dougan, General Manager of the Magnetic Hill zoo.

Many of us may not be aware that the Magnetic Hill Zoo, here on our doorsteps, is one of the more recognized zoos in Canada for its programs and displays.

Meet at 10 AM at the Magnetic Hill zoo parking lot on Saturday, October 15. Family and friends are welcome.

Adult (18+) $11

Senior/Youth (12-17) (60+) $10

Child (4-11) $8

Toddlers (0-3) free

** I am attaching below a write-up of a planned hike to Ayer’s Lake forwarded by Catherine Johnson. This is one of the few areas of old growth forest left in New Brunswick and is nothing short of spectacular at this time of year. If you have a chance, don’t miss this group visit.

AYERS LAKE ANNUAL FALL COLOURS HIKE

Come to enjoy the amazing fall colours in the old-growth forest at the Ayers Lake Unique Area as we hike to the lookout to view the lake and forest from above, and then hike down to the lake itself to see the wonders of nature at close range.
Please bring a lunch and water and dress appropriately for the weather. The trails are rugged and natural so sturdy footwear is recommended. Trekking poles or walking sticks are useful on some of the trail sections. Everyone is welcome but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended (therefore not suitable for young children). No pets please.
The hike is about 8kms but we'll travel at a relatively slow pace with breaks as needed. Rain or shine, free event.
Meet at the junction of the Ayers Lake Unique Area access road and Rte 104, 9.5kms west of the junction of Rtes 585 and 104 at Hawkins Corner (bear right to remain on Rte 104).SOME PARTICIPANTS MAY WISH TO RETURN TO THEIR CARS EARLIER AFTER LUNCH.

Questions? Contact: Barb at: fergneil@nbnet.nb.ca

** Ray Gauvin shares another sunset photo from Pointe-du-Chene wharf.

** Jamie Burris shares some photos of edible mushrooms that he and Karen have collected recently to include the SWOLLEN STALKED CAT [armilaire ventru], CHANTERELLES, HEDGE HOG mushrooms, and MEADOW mushrooms and Hen-of-the-woods mushroom. The Meadow mushrooms could also be small HORSE mushrooms just emerged. They have similar edible qualities but the Horse mushrooms can grow up to dinner plate size to be a real prize and often have a yellow blush in the centre of the cap.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

CHANTERELLES (TOP LEFT), SWOLLEN-STALKED CAT (TOP LEFT), MEADOW MUSHROOMS (LOWER LEFT), HEDGEHOG MUSHROOM (LOWER RIGHT).SEPT 28, 2016.JAMIE BURRIS

HEN-OF-THE-WOODS MUSHROOM.SEPT 28, 2016.JAMIE BURRIS

SUNSET AT POINTE-DU CHENE.OCTOBER, 2016. RAY GAUVIN

Monday 3 October 2016

October 3 2016

** Louise Nichols got some outstanding photos of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER [Pluvier bronzé] and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argenté], together on Sunday in one of the back fields behind the Sackville town garage. Her photos beautifully show the sharp superciliary line, smaller bill, and brown and yellow tones of the Golden Plover and the silver black, white and gray tones of the Black-bellied, which has a stouter bill. One photo also nicely shows the longer primary projection of a Golden Plover than would be expected in the Black-bellied, which has extension barely beyond the tip of the tail. The very dark cap and auriculars of the Golden causes the supercilium to create a much bolder pattern.

Louise also saw one DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable] in the area (note the drooping bill at the tip) and some PECTORAL SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée].

On Saturday, Louise saw YELLOWLEGS [Chevaliers], PECTORAL SANDPIPERS [Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée] and WILSON'S SNIPE [Bécassine de Wilson] at the Sackville Waterfowl Park.

** The days are getting shorter, as Ray Gauvin points out with a photo he took of the sunset at Pointe-du-Chêne wharf at 6:48 p.m. on Sunday evening.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (LEFT) AND BLACK BELLIED PLOVER(RIGHT) LOUISE NICHOLS. OCT. 2, 2016

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. LOUISE NICHOLS. OCT. 2, 2016

DUNLIN. LOUISE NICHOLS. OCT. 2, 2016

PECTORAL SANDPIPER. LOUISE NICHOLS. OCT. 2, 2016

SUNSET.PTE-DE CHENE.OCT 2, 2016.RAY GAUVIN

Sunday 2 October 2016

Oct 2 2016

** This time of year we see small flies flying about with bits of white fibres in tow, looking looking like small snowflakes. These are ALDER WOOLY APHIDS [Puceron lanigère de l'aulne] in their adult stage on their mating flights. Brian Stone got a photo of one on that mission on Friday.

** Myron Kelly was harvesting his small potato patch on Saturday and encountered 4 AMERICAN TOADS [Crapaud d’Amérique]. The interesting point was that one was a plump mature, the second one smaller, the third smaller again, and the fourth one only one and a quarter inch long.

** Aldo Dorio got a nice photo of an adult HORNED LARK [Alouette hausse-col] at the Hay Island shoreline on Saturday. Hopefully, we will see more of this species as the fall and winter progress.

** Lynda Leclerc was recently in Chester, England, and visited a falconry there. She was given the opportunity to hold a GYRFALCON [Faucon gerfaut] on her arm, and comments that it was an interesting experience.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton